BRAZZAVILLE, May 12 – The Republic of Congo has requested negotiations with the International Monetary Fund for a new financing program, as the Central African oil producer seeks fresh economic support amid slowing growth and ongoing structural challenges.
According to the country’s finance ministry, an IMF technical mission is expected to arrive in the coming weeks to begin discussions on the framework of a new program aligned with Congo’s economic priorities.
The move follows the completion of Congo’s previous IMF-supported arrangement in March 2025, under which the country received approximately $430 million in funding over three years.
Officials said the proposed program would focus on supporting economic reforms, strengthening growth, and advancing the government’s broader development agenda.
President Denis Sassou Nguesso secured another term in office in March after winning more than 94% of the vote in a tightly controlled election, extending his decades-long leadership of the oil-rich nation.
The government said its development strategy includes efforts to diversify the economy, strengthen peace and stability, and expand employment opportunities beyond the hydrocarbons sector.
The IMF previously warned that Congo’s economic outlook remains fragile despite recent reforms. In an assessment released in April, the Fund said weak public investment and persistent energy supply disruptions continued to weigh on non-oil economic activity.
Growth in 2025 remained below potential, according to the IMF, while medium-term expansion prospects have softened due to infrastructure constraints and broader structural weaknesses.
Congo’s renewed engagement with the IMF comes as several African economies seek additional multilateral support to navigate tighter global financial conditions, elevated energy costs, and fiscal pressures linked to external shocks.
